Man busted for animal cruelty in Baker

Font size

A man faces animal cruelty charges after police received complaints that he was not caring for his horses.

Police surveyed the property on Don Avenue in Baker. After noticing multiple horses, East Baton Rouge Parish Animal Control was called to the scene.

The man was leasing the land the horses were on. Six horses were taken away. Four of them belonged to him, and two others belonged to an under-aged boy. The boy's parents were forced to sign papers, turning the horses over to animal control.

Authorities are still trying to identify the owner of another horse left on the property. If the owner does not come forward by Friday, animal control officers will seize that horse as well.

The man leasing the property claims he has papers showing his horses have been to the vet in the last six months. He also claims to have receipts that show he regularly fed the animals.

Baker Police Chief Mike Knaps said the situation is unacceptable. He said people need to start learning how to care for their animals.

"This is not the type of activity that we're looking for here," said Chief Knaps. "This is not the type of activity that's acceptable for this community."